ClearSlide is a leading sales engagement platform that integrates content management, communication tools, and actionable insights to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, ClearSlide serves thousands of customers, including major companies like Rackspace, Thomson Reuters, and LinkedIn. The platform is designed to improve customer interactions across various channels, including email, phone, and face-to-face meetings, providing real-time visibility and analytics for both sellers and sales leaders.
ClearSlide was founded in October 2009 by Al Lieb and Jim Benton. Initially funded by the founders and early subscribers, the company did not seek external funding until a year after its launch. It raised $28 million in a Series B round in August 2012 to fuel rapid growth and expansion. In 2013, ClearSlide acquired SlideRocket from VMware and Crunched, a rival cloud-based sales engagement platform. A significant Series C funding round in February 2014 brought in $50 million from investors like Social+Capital Partnership, Greylock Partners, and Bessemer Venture Partners.
ClearSlide has raised a total of $89 million over six funding rounds. Key investors include Bigtincan, Alludo, Felicis Ventures, Greylock Partners, and Bessemer Venture Partners. The company's valuation in August 2012 was reported to be $147.03 million. ClearSlide was acquired by Bigtincan in December 2020, although the financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
ClearSlide's platform offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to support sales and marketing teams:
ClearSlide has made strategic acquisitions to expand its product offerings and market presence. In 2013, it acquired SlideRocket and Crunched to enhance its capabilities in online presentations and sales engagement. In December 2017, ClearSlide was acquired by Corel Corporation, which aimed to leverage its e-commerce experience and global channels to fuel ClearSlide's growth. The most recent acquisition by Bigtincan in December 2020 further integrated ClearSlide's technology into a broader suite of sales enablement solutions.
ClearSlide continually updates its platform to meet the evolving needs of sales teams. Recent enhancements include improved engagement dashboards, which provide actionable insights to improve forecasting and business results. The platform also features guided selling, which offers rules-based recommendations to optimize the sales process, and coaching tools that support the development of sales reps through performance dashboards and best practice libraries.
ClearSlide emphasizes a collaborative and supportive company culture. Managers are viewed more as mentors and coaches, focusing on creating an environment where employees feel comfortable, appreciated, and supported. This approach aims to help team members grow and excel in their careers. ClearSlide's commitment to innovation and customer success is reflected in its numerous technology patents and product awards.
ClearSlide serves a diverse user base, including over 2,000 companies such as Autodesk, Comcast, Expedia, Medtronic, Novartis, The Economist, and Verizon. The platform has facilitated nearly 1 billion minutes of customer engagement. ClearSlide's users report significant improvements in seller productivity, sales management effectiveness, and content ROI. The platform is praised for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and ability to integrate seamlessly into existing sales workflows.
